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First Month Success Sees NWC Climb NJCAA Poll
BY RANDAL HOROBIK
Tribune Sports Editor
The Northwest College wrestling team used a positive month of November to climb two spots in the latest NJCAA wrestling poll. After opening the year in eighth place, the Trappers now reside at the No. 6 position.
The team also features five wrestlers ranked in the top 12 of their respective weight divisions.
Headlining that list is sophomore 184-pounder Nick Petersen. After a strong start to the year, Petersen assumes the No. 1 position in the polls for his weight class. Petersen is one of two returning All-Americans on the Northwest College roster this season.
Knocking at the door for No. 1 honors is Trapper freshman Keithen Cast. The Trappers’ 174-pounder has suffered just two losses in his young college career, both coming in overtime. Cast is ranked No. 2 in the 174-pound division at present.
Northwest College’s other returning All-American is also featured prominently in the national polls. Jesse Hillhouse, a sixth place finisher at last season’s national tournament, currently holds down the No. 3 slot at 133 pounds in the NJCAA.
At the other end of the spectrum, heavyweight Sears Tiernan reached the finals of the NWC Open tournament before winning the amateur division of the Cowboy Open a week later. Tiernan now holds the No. 4 ranking nationally at 285 pounds.
Rounding out the list of Trapper wrestlers in the national rankings this week, Bobby Robbins appears as No. 11 at 149 pounds.
The complete NJCAA team rankings as of the November poll:
1. Harper
2. North Idaho
3. Rend Lake
4. Nassau
5. Labette
6. Northwest
7. Clackamas
8. Iowa Central
9. Lincoln
10. North Iowa Area
11. Highline
12. Southwestern Oregon
13. (tie) Iowa Lakes and Ellsworth
15. Pratt
16. (tie) Niagara County, Northwest Kansas Technical and Gloucester
19. Colby
20. (tie) Western Wyoming and Darton.